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Episode 42, Friday 27 November , 2009

Help Wanted - Episode 42

Robert & Anne Bruce

Anne contacted ĎCan We Help?í to ask for our assistance in fulfilling a life-long dream of her husband Robert. Since a young age, Robert has always had an interest in cars and his favourite would be the E-Type Jaguar. Robert was diagnosed with renal cancer several years ago and after watching the movie 'The Bucket List' starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, Robert decided to start a bucket list for himself, listing all the things he wanted to do. One of the things on Robertís list was to drive an E-Type Jaguar.

Six weeks ago Anne Bruce hatched a secret plan to give her husband Robert, the surprise of his life ... and sheís about to deliver it.

[Anne] I think heíll be absolutely stunned and over the moon, I donít think heíll believe it, just because itís one of his dreams.

You see, Robert is a lifelong Jaguar car fanatic and his dream has always been to get behind the wheel of a V12, E Type Jag, an icon of the 60s and early 70s.

[Anne] I asked him why he loved ĎJagsí and he said, it was just such a perfect car at the time. Heís always drooled over them. He said heíd love to have one.

Right now Anne has every reason to be excited Ė in just a few moments time, a secret rendezvous in the ABC car park in Melbourne will help her deliver Robertís dream.

But the truth is, itís also an occasion born out of devastating news. After 42 years of marriage, two sons, 3 grand kids and of course cars, Robert was diagnosed with renal cancer.

[Anne] It was quite traumatic because the orthopaedic surgeon phoned at 9:30 on the Tuesday night and said ďyou better come around to my rooms and bring your wifeĒ. So he told us Robert had cancer and he was operated on, on the Friday. He had radiotherapy after that but there is nothing they can do for renal cancer itself.

After coming to terms with the diagnosis, it was a Hollywood movie that inspired Anne to ask for our help.

[Anne] We watched the film 'The Bucket list' where Morgan Freeman writes a list of all the things he wanted to do before he kicked the bucket and Robert said ďoh I think Iíd better start mineĒ, and he told me one of them was to drive an E-Type.

[Anne] I tried to hire a car and there was nothing in Victoria. I got in contact with the E-Type Jag Club and they offered him a ride but not to drive because of insurance restrictions.

So we set out to find a car, and it wasnít hard. As luck would have it, guess who could get his hands on a beautiful, red, slightly squeaky V12 E-Type? Thatís right, our Pete. Well, his Dad to be exact, and just 16 insurance letters later it was all ours.

[Anne] I think itís amazing, I just canít believe itís all come together. I donít think Robert has any idea of whatís happening this morning. I think it will be wonderful when he gets into the car. I think heíll be over the moon. I canít wait to see his face.

Pete parked his Dadís E-Type out the front of Anne and Robertís house ready for the surprise. Anne brought Robert out the front and he had no idea what was waiting for him.

When Pete said that Robert could actually drive the car Robert couldnít believe it. Robert and Anne went for a drive with a very concerned Pete waving goodbye.

[Pete to himself] If you crash it Iím a dead man, please donít crash it.

[Anne] Heís absolutely over the moon and it was so nice to see him so happy.

[Robert] It was magnificent because Iíve always said to her, one day, even if itís the last thing I do Ė drive a sports car, an E-type with you and sheís made it come true. Iíd just given up on the fact that Iíd ever be able to do it but I can tick that one off now.